The Accipiter - Research August 2005

Research - August 2005

These important occasional special features will focus on the work our residential students do with and for us. The students who will be working on our Tawny Owl release programme (about which more later) have just arrived, so this month, we'll let them get away with simply introducing themselves. So, say hello to Amy, Gemma, Jenni and Tracey, and look out later for more detailed information...

Amy

Gemma, Tracey, Jenny and Amy practising with telemetry equipment

(L to R) Gemma, Tracey, Jenni and Amy

My name is Amy King. I am 21 years old, and I have just completed a BSc degree in Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Biology at Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge.
As part of the degree I visited Kenya for a two week field trip, exploring the country, its people and its animals, all of which were motivating and enjoyable.
I live in Anna Valley in Andover and enjoy cycling around the area looking for and photographing the local wildlife.
I wanted to come and help with the Tawny Owl Release Programme at The Hawk Conservancy Trust because it sounded like a worthwhile and exciting project to get involved in. I also felt that I needed some practical field experience before going on to do a masters degree.

Gemma

My name is Gemma Russell, I am 21 years old and come from Woking in Surrey. I enjoy observing animals in the wild and have acquired a passion for bird watching and wildlife photography.
I was given the opportunity to become a member of the research team for the Tawny Owl release programme 2005 through my degree in Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Biology at Anglia Polytechnic in Cambridge, which I completed this year.
I would ideally like to contribute to the conservation of British wildlife as a career and was therefore keen to gain practical experience in this field and widen my knowledge, making this programme the perfect opportunity for me.

Jenni

My name is Jennifer Webster and I am undertaking a research programme for releasing Tawny Owls back into the wild. The programme is for a six week period during July and August 2005 with the assistance of three other members of the project team.
I originally applied to join the project at the Hawk Conservancy Trust to help play an important part in conservation in general, and birds of prey in particular. Although it is in its infancy, the intention is to continue the project of releasing the owls, monitoring their progress in order that a viable programme of reintroduction can be established.
I am currently studying for a degree in Animal Welfare and Behaviour at Myerscough College, Preston.
My home is in Liverpool and I regularly enjoy watching Liverpool FC and walking, particular in the Lake District and Scotland where I was able to study and enjoy the wildlife. More recently I have completed the Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales. I am also a member of the Liverpool Pembroke and Sefton running club and I take part in the 5k Corporate Cups.

Tracey

My name is Tracey Unwin, and I grew up near London. I went to Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge along with Gemma Russell and Amy King. I have just completed a degree in Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Biology, and may go on to do a Masters next year.
I spent last summer in Gibraltar studying the Barbary macaques for my dissertation.This was very successful and aroused my interests in primates, but I have always been fascinated by birds of prey.
Becoming a member of the Tawny Owl research team for the Trust has provided the perfect opportunity to pursue this interest, and also to gain some general experience of research and conservation work. I hope to continue this sort of work as a career, perhaps with some of the endangered species of Africa or Asia.

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